OFFICIALS from Trinidad and Tobago have been touring the UK reassuring operators the Caribbean islands are a safe destination following a recent spate of violence and crime against tourists.
A delegation has met with a host of operators including Thomas Cook, Hayes and Jarvis, Virgin Holidays, Thomson and Kuoni, informing them of a raft of new laws and policies.
Tobago House of Assembly security advisor Anselm Richards, who devised the measures, said he believed the problems are linked to a dramatic increase in tourism over the last five years. Visitor numbers to the islands have more than doubled with 55,000 holidaymakers in 2005 compared to 25,000 in 2000.
“When there are more people on the islands, there is more opportunity for people to commit violence or crime. We have to act against this unintended side-effect of tourism,” he said.
The delegation has also held talks with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which has agreed to review travel advice to the destination to take into account the new anti-crime measures.
From the end of next month, a 24-hour court will deal with crimes against tourists which now carry a minimum sentence of five years’ hard labour.
Video-conference technology will also allow victims of crime to testify once they have returned home.
The islands have employed a new assistant police chief and have a new tourist security force that will be highly visible in all tourist areas. A 24-hour victim support squad has also been set up.
School children will also be educated about the benefits of tourism, which accounts for 49% of the islands’ gross domestic product.